Xu Yuehuai knew something was wrong, but faced with that ghostly black shadow, she had no choice but to step forward.
The shadowy figure's attacks were fierce and eerie, each strike seemingly carrying a chilling aura.
Xu Yuehuai was agile; she skillfully dodged the attacks while her mind raced, searching for an opportunity to escape.
Suddenly, Xu Yuehuai flicked her wrist, and a small hidden weapon pierced the night sky, its sharp whistling sound carrying it straight to the shadowy figure.
The shadowy figure froze, seemingly injured by a hidden weapon, revealing a brief opening.
Upon seeing this, Xu Yuehuai pounced on him without hesitation, grabbing the dark figure's clothes tightly with both hands.
The two engaged in close combat, and Xu Yuehuai finally subdued the shadowy figure on the ground.
She was panting heavily when she looked up at the subdued figure, only to find a strange smile on the figure's face.
The next instant, the dark figure suddenly spat out a mouthful of black blood and died.
The temple door was suddenly pushed open, and a group of villagers rushed in, torches in hand. When they saw the subdued figure and Xu Yuehuai standing to the side, their faces showed expressions of fear and anger.
"You...you killed him!" a villager exclaimed, pointing at the dark figure on the ground.
Xu Yuehuai quickly explained, "I didn't! It was him—"
However, before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by the angry villagers.
"You're the one who ruined good people! We won't let you get away with this!" the villagers roared, rushing towards Xu Yuehuai.
Xu Yuehuai struggled to fend off the villagers' attacks, her face filled with anxiety and helplessness. She tried to explain to the villagers, but the angry villagers wouldn't listen to any explanation.
"Let's go see the officials!" a villager shouted.
"You'll pay with your life!" another villager roared, throwing a punch at Xu Yuehuai.
Xu Yuehuai could not harm these villagers, so she could only try to avoid their attacks.
Her heart was filled with bitterness and helplessness. She couldn't understand why these villagers wouldn't listen to the truth.
“I didn’t kill this person. I didn’t even strike a vital spot. He was killed by someone else. Since you don’t believe me, don’t trust anyone else for the time being.”
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, Xu Yuehuai found an opportunity. With a powerful leap, she jumped out of the crowd. Without looking back, she left the dilapidated temple and disappeared into the moonlight.
It was almost midnight when Xu Yuehuai returned to Erzhuang's house.
"We should go."
Erzhuang pushed open the coffin lid, sat inside, looked up at her, his face full of worry and confusion.
"Sir, has the matter been resolved?" Erzhuang asked.
Xu Yuehuai sighed and said, "No, I don't think we can stay here any longer. Those villagers are strange."
Er Zhuang's expression immediately changed. "Then what should we do?"
"Let's leave here first. I'll find out the truth." Xu Yuehuai patted the dirt off her clothes and walked towards the door.
Seeing this, Erzhuang quickly tidied himself up and followed, the two of them swiftly leaving the mysterious village...
Erzhuang followed closely behind Xu Yuehuai, the two walking along the edge of the village, their footsteps echoing only in the empty fields.
"Sir, where are we going now?" Erzhuang's voice carried a hint of unease.
Xu Yuehuai stopped and looked around. "Let's check around this village for any traces left by the assassins."
The two searched their surroundings, the chirping of insects in the grass and the occasional barking of dogs in the distance providing the only accompaniment to the tranquility. Suddenly, a faint sob broke the silence of the night.
Erzhuang's heart started racing. He nervously looked around: "Could there be something dirty?"
Xu Yuehuai's eyes were particularly sharp in the night. "Impossible. If you're scared, stay here. I'll go check the situation."
Erzhuang quickly shook his head: "How can we let the adult go alone?" Although he was timid, his loyalty was beyond question. He followed closely behind Xu Yuehuai, almost touching her.
As the sound drew closer, Xu Yuehuai's brows furrowed more and more. She walked to the edge of the bushes and cautiously peeked out, only to see a woman in front of her, her clothes disheveled, weeping with her head down.
Seeing this, Erzhuang whispered, "She looks like she's been bullied."
Xu Yuehuai did not answer immediately. She observed the surroundings. It was still some distance from the village, and there were no other houses nearby. It was indeed unusual for a woman to appear here so late at night.
“Don’t jump to conclusions so quickly,” Xu Yuehuai said calmly and composedly. “After all, this doesn’t look like a place an ordinary woman would come to.”
"Then shouldn't we just leave her alone?" Erzhuang asked.
"Let's wait here for now," Xu Yuehuai said.
The two hid in the shadows and observed for a long time, but no one else appeared except for the woman. Suddenly, the woman stopped crying, raised her head, and said in an unusually calm tone, "Come out."
Erzhuang was gently pushed by Xu Yuehuai and staggered out of the bushes. He swallowed nervously, "Miss, what happened? Why are you so sad?"
The woman showed a hint of surprise when she saw someone come out, but quickly regained her composure. She said softly, "My lord, I came out to pick wild vegetables, intending to go home for a meal, but I accidentally twisted my ankle and can't get back. Why don't you take me home?"
Erzhuang carefully examined the woman before him. She had delicate features, and although her clothes were disheveled, her eyes revealed a stubbornness. He hesitated for a moment, then turned to look in Xu Yuehuai's direction, only to find that Xu Yuehuai had not come out.
Xu Yuehuai hid in the shadows, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She knew this woman was no ordinary person, but at this moment, she couldn't ascertain her true identity or intentions.
Seeing that Xu Yuehuai did not respond, Erzhuang was uneasy, but seeing the woman's pained expression, he decided to help her first. He stepped forward, supported the woman, and said, "Okay, I'll take you home."
The woman smiled slightly, pointed to the path ahead, and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sir."
Erzhuang carefully supported the woman, afraid that she would get hurt again.
Xu Yuehuai followed silently behind them, keeping a certain distance so that the woman wouldn't notice her presence.
In the soft glow of the early morning sun, the figures of the three people gradually disappeared into the distance.
In the twilight of the valley, Erzhuang helped the woman into the dilapidated thatched hut.
The woman's lips curled slightly upward, revealing a grateful smile. She insisted that Er Zhuang stay for dinner to express her deepest gratitude.
Although Erzhuang had his doubts, he finally agreed when faced with the woman's earnest gaze.
The woman turned and went into the kitchen, where she busied herself.
Erzhuang stood in the courtyard, where weeds grew rampant, and the dilapidated thatched hut looked even more desolate in the twilight. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy; such a remote little house, yet only a wounded woman lived there.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com